Home burglar caught on camera

A man allegedly squatting in a Mendocino home for about a week was arrested Friday after being seen by the homeowner on a camera feed, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported.

According to the MCSO, the 73-year-old owner of a home in the 45000 block of Heeser Street in Mendocino reported at 4:20 p.m. Feb. 22 seeing a man in her home while she was out of town.

She told deputies that she saw the man "via a live-feed camera positioned inside the residence and accessible (via) the Internet." The homeowner continued to watch the suspect while deputies responded. When deputies arrived minutes later, the suspect, identified as Alec J. Faccone, 20, a transient, exited the residence and was placed under arrest.

While searching the residence, deputies reportedly found several firearms not belonging to the homeowner, including a pistol with an illegal silencer. Another firearm was reported to be a rifle also modified illegally with its barrel shortened and "buttstock cut off," making it easier to conceal.

Deputies determined that Faccone, who had robbery arrest warrant out of Seattle, had forced entry into the home and remained there for about a week. He was booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of burglary, possession of illegal firearms, being a fugitive from justice and being armed with a firearm, and held under $200,000 bail.

Deputies also found evidence that Faccone may have been responsible for four other burglaries in the Mendocino and Fort Bragg areas, some not reported, and anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to call the MCSO tip line at 707-234-2100.